Canadian TV journalist Francis D’Souza,
francisd@chumtv.com
was born in Canada and last visited Goa two years ago. His
parents, who used to live in Nairobi, are Colleen (nee Dantas)
and Oswald (ex-East African Airways). He traces his Goan
roots to Saligao (mother) and Moira (father). Francis’
hobbies are golf, lazing in the sun and travelling.

SHOW
DESCRIPTION: "CityPulse" ... All Day, Every Day,
the City is our Newsroom. Intensely-local and urban-oriented,
we focus on the 'Day in the Life' realities of people's
lives with a visual realism that speaks directly to those
that call Toronto home. "CityPulse" is seen daily
at Noon, Six and 11:00pm on Citytv and CP24. "CityPulse"
... What Toronto is Talking About Today.

BACKGROUND: Francis caught the television
bug after being selected from Citytv's "Lunch Television"
audience to perform the opening announcement on Queen
Street. Now he's back at Citytv in a more "permanent"
capacity!

Prior to joining Citytv, Francis hosted
"Plugged In!" on Rogers Television. He was a
production assistant with the CBC, a videographer at Global
News Toronto and most recently anchored the CTV 11:30pm
news in Northern Ontario.

EDUCATION: B.A., Radio and Television
Arts, Ryerson University.

INTERESTS: Travelling - Francis has seen
the sun rise over the Taj Mahal, crossed the English channel
by Hovercraft, swung on vines in Venezuela's Amazon jungle
and descended down Mount Pilatus in Switzerland by cog
wheel train.

When
Francis D’Souza, Citytv’s CityPulse reporter
and CityPulse Weekend anchor, is off work, you’ll
probably find him in the midst of a globe trotting adventure.
So, it seemed fitting to invite him for a celebrity dinner
date at Monsoon, a restaurant specializing in marrying
foods from countries throughout Asia and Southeast Asia
affected by torrential monsoon storms, including India,
where
D’Souza’s ancestors hail.

We
began the evening with a Monsoon Martini — a vodka,
mango, lemon and cranberry concoction suggested by server
Laura- Lynn Bolan. While sharing appetizers of Peking
Duck with Citrus Segments, Baby Green in Pappadum Cup
and Shiso Grilled Tiger Prawns in an Asian Guacamole Cup,
we talked about D’Souza’s life in news.

“When
I anchor, I get to show the viewers my personality, when
you do hard news you can’t. As an anchor, I like
the public to perceive me as light-hearted. I like to
consider myself somewhat funny and very openminded,”
says D’Souza, who co-anchors with Merella Fernandez.
Coincidentally, both
anchors trace their roots to Goa in southwest India.

“I’m
a self-professed news junkie. I love my job because every
day it is different. When I report, I really get to craft
my work — I write and produce the story, and I get
to meet new people every day. You have
to be
somewhat emotive when you tell these stories. I’ve
seen bodies on the ground
and interviewed people who have lost their children, you
have to have a strong mind and be able to deal with it
head on. I often talk about it with family and friends,
so that helps.

“If
you look at news — it is about storytelling. Jeannie
Moost, from CNN, is one of the best television storytellers.
The way she crafts stories with pictures and matches them
with words is
incredible,” says the Mississauga- born and raised
newsman.

on
orderKates:
What do you do for fun?
D’Souza: I’ve been flying a plane since I was
16. I’m trying to pick up golf; I spent all last summer
learning and playing.

Tough
to avoid viruses

Aside
from common cold culprits like the rhinovirus and coronavirus,
watch out for the adenovirus, especially at this time of
the year.

The adenovirus can mimic flu symptoms but it can also cause
abdominal cramps, eye infections, whooping cough and pneumonia.
How to avoid it: Wash your hands!

Although many Canadians think getting the flu shot every
year will protect them against all common cold culprits,
the adenovirus is, unfortunately, an exception to the rule.

WHAT
IS ADENOVIRUS?
As a group of viruses that infect tissue linings of the
respiratory tract, eyes, intestines and urinary tract, adenoviruses
are responsible for about 10 per cent of acute respiratory
infections in children.

Indeed,
most children have been infected by at her culinary creation.
The exotic flavours of the food brings the conversation
to world travel. “I love to travel, I saw the sunrise
over the Taj Mahal, swung on vines in Venezuela’s
Amazon Jungle and climbed Dunns River Falls in Jamaica.
I’ve been to Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and Europe,”
says D’Souza.

For
dessert, we sampled Infused Crème Brûlée,
Mango Monsoon Sorbet and Chocolate Heaven — a warm
chocolate cake with a least one adenovirus by the time they
reach school age.

Most
adults have acquired immunity to multiple adenovirus types
because of earlier childhood infections.

There
are at least 47 known adenovirus types, half of which cause
human illness, so no one is completely immune.

The adenovirus is highly contagious, causing respiratory
and intestinal infections, which spread from person to person
through coughs or sneezes or fecal contamination. Indirect
transmission can occur through exposure to the contaminated
surfaces of furniture and other objects.

Symptoms
usually develop within two weeks of exposure.

“It
is important to know that you are infectious, especially
at the beginning,” says Dr. Mike Evans, HealthyOntario.com’s
Chief Medical Editor.

silk
soft centre served with devil’s ice cream and raspberry
coulis.

“The
décor and atmosphere at Monsoon is very relaxing,
the food presentation is excellent — the food has
a very unique taste,” adds D’Souza.

Catch
D’Souza reporting Wednesday to Friday on City- Pulse
and CP24 and anchoring
CityPulse Weekend at 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. on Citytv.

Call
Monsoon, 100 Simcoe St., at 416-979-7172, for reservations.

“Make
a special effort to wash your hands and limit contact with
others.”

TREATMENT
If the virus has caused a respiratory infection or fever,
getting plenty of rest and taking in extra fluids is essential.
You can use acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) to treat a fever;
however, do not give children aspirin because of the risk
of Reye’s syndrome, a life-threatening illness.

To
relieve the symptoms of conjunctivitis, use warm compresses
and a topical eye ointment or drops if your doctor recommends
them.

There’s no way to completely prevent adenoviral infections
but you can reduce the risk of transmission with frequent
hand washing. Find more treatments for virus infections
by visiting HealthyOntario.com.www.healthyontario.com

14
May 2004. Toronto Star

Headline:
TV broadcasters debate diversity in newsrooms.

Excerpt:
CityPulse weekend anchor Merella Fernandez acknowledged
that visible minorities have made tremendous progress in
the industry in the past five years. She said she was impressed
when her boss at Citytv assigned Francis D'Souza, another
South Asian reporter from India, as her co-anchor 18 months
ago.

A:
For shaving, only the best for me. I use Gillette
products, "The best a man can get." I lather up
with the vitamin E-enriched shaving gel. For the hair, American
Crew shampoo. Styling is simple with a bit of tap water
and Thermasilk Flexible Hold hairspray. I’m still
looking for the magic potion that will keep me from losing
my hair.

Q:
How do you keep life in perspective?

A:
I self-actualize in front of the mirror for an hour every
day. Just kidding. Honestly, I try to maintain a good sense
of humour. Even when things are falling apart, I can still
laugh at myself.

Q:
How do you stay fit?

A:
I’m striving for that six-pack. Already got a two-pack,
just four more to go. I drag myself to the gym twice a week.
I do a circuit on the weight machines then 30 minutes on
the treadmill.

Q:
What are your healthy eating habits?

A:
I eat what I want, but in moderation. I never miss
breakfast, usually follow with a salad for lunch, then bring
on the meat for dinner